Communications

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

Any documents, spreadsheets and memos relating to travel expenses for the Governor.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

We have received your request for "any documents, spreadsheets, and memos relating to travel expenses for the Governor". A preliminary search has revealed no spreadsheets relating to travel expenses for the Governor. There are a number of "documents" or "memos" related to travel expenses ranging from credit card statements to hotel receipts to airline boarding passes or ticket records. Searching and recovering these various individual items would be fairly time consuming and a significant expense for you.

I would recommend withdrawing your current request and resubmitting it as a request for completed Travel Authorizations. These documents are a summary of travel data that contains airline, hotel, and other information on a single page. An example is attached. If you agree, please send me a follow up email. It would also help me if you confirm the dates for which you are seeking travel information. If it helps provide a reference point, The Governor took office on July 26, 2009.

1. I would like to entertain your suggestion and amend my request to all confirmed travel authorizations since July 26, 2009. I would also like to add all denied travel authorizations to that request.

2. If you would be so kind as to provide an estimate for the cost of fulfilling a request that would apease the language of my initial request I would be much obliged.

Thank you for your time,

George LeVines

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Dear Mr. LeVines:

We have received your request for "any documents, spreadsheets, and memos relating to travel expenses for the Governor". A preliminary search has revealed no spreadsheets relating to travel expenses for the Governor. There are a number of "documents" or "memos" related to travel expenses ranging from credit card statements to hotel receipts to airline boarding passes or ticket records. Searching and recovering these various individual items would be fairly time consuming and a significant expense for you.

I would recommend withdrawing your current request and resubmitting it as a request for completed Travel Authorizations. These documents are a summary of travel data that contains airline, hotel, and other information on a single page. An example is attached. If you agree, please send me a follow up email. It would also help me if you confirm the dates for which you are seeking travel information. If it helps provide a reference point, The Governor took office on July 26, 2009.

As I presently understand your request, you are asking for copies of all final Travel Authorizations and all denied Travel Authorizations for Governor Parnell since July 26, 2009. The estimated cost to produce these records is $160.00. Pursuant to 2 AAC 96.360(c) "fees must be paid before the records are disclosed" and a public agency "may require payment in advance of a search for a public record."

If you wish to pursue your request, please send a check to the address below made out to the State of Alaska for the amount of $160.00. Upon receipt of payment, a response to your request will be processed and provided.